Cleaning compound for cleaning surfaces in a food processing environment

ABSTRACT

A cleaning compound for cleaning surfaces in a food processing environment includes at least one container, with each container including a peroxide and/or an alkaline reactant therein. The alkaline reactant is selected to raise the pH of the cleaning compound into the alkaline range when the peroxide and the alkaline reactant are mixed together. The cleaning compound may be a liquid or dry compound, which is applied to the surface to be cleaned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to cleaning compounds, and, moreparticularly, to cleaning compounds for cleaning surfaces in a foodprocessing environment.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Numerous chemical compounds exhibit varying degrees ofantimicrobial or biocidal activity. Antimicrobial compositions areneeded, among other things, to clean and disinfect food surfaces such asfruits and vegetables and to clean and disinfect hard-surfaces in thehealth care industry, food and beverage industries and households.

[0005] Compositions having cleaning and sanitizing effectiveness areknown, which include one or more surfactants and one or moreantimicrobial agents, where the surfactant is effective at removal ofsoils, especially soils that contain fats and the antimicrobial agentssuch as ethylene oxide, strong acids and compositions of aldehydes areknown to have varying degrees of biocidal activity. Limitations existfor many of these cleaning compositions in that the antimicrobial agentsexhibit toxic, corrosive and irritant properties that limit thecompositions usefulness, especially in relation to the food and beverageindustries.

[0006] Antimicrobial compositions including lower concentrations ofsurfactants, resulting in lower corrosion and odor, are also known. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 6,479,454 (Smith et al.), discloses anantimicrobial composition of hydrogen peroxide and amine oxide. Hydrogenperoxide is a known antimicrobial agent, and amine oxide is ahigh-foaming surfactant. By providing a low concentration mixture ofhydrogen peroxide and amine oxide, effective antimicrobial cleaning mayoccur.

[0007] Nonetheless, even with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and amineoxide at a low concentration as disclosed by Smith et al. '454, themixture still has a pH in the acid range and thus has higher thandesired corrosive effects when applied to surfaces to be cleaned. It isconventionally believed that an antimicrobial compound must be in theacid range to effectively act as an antimicrobial agent. In fact, inline with conventional wisdom, Smith et al. '454 discloses thatcarboxylic acids may be added to the mixture of hydrogen peroxide andamine oxide to improve the antimicrobial effect. Although such cleaningcompounds effectively clean target surfaces, the corrosive propertiesassociated therewith cause substantial operating expense to periodicallyreplace floor and wall surfaces, equipment, etc., damaged by thecorrosion.

[0008] What is needed in the art is a cleaning compound, which is ahydrogen peroxide donor, which effectively cleans surfaces in a foodprocessing environment without substantial corrosive effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a cleaning compound including aperoxide and an alkaline reactant with a pH in the alkaline range, whicheffectively cleans surfaces in a food processing environment withoutsubstantial corrosive effects.

[0010] The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a cleaning compoundkit for cleaning surfaces in a food processing environment. The cleaningcompound kit includes a first container with hydrogen peroxide therein,and a second container with an alkaline reactant therein. The alkalinereactant is selected to raise the pH of the cleaning compound into thealkaline range when a predetermined amount of the first container andthe second container are mixed together.

[0011] The invention comprises, in another form thereof, a cleaningcompound for cleaning surfaces in a food processing environment. Thecleaning compound includes at least one container, with each containerincluding a peroxide and/or an alkaline reactant therein. The alkalinereactant is selected to raise the pH of the cleaning compound into thealkaline range when the peroxide and the alkaline reactant are mixedtogether.

[0012] The invention comprises, in yet another form thereof, a method ofcleaning a surface in a food processing environment, including the stepsof: providing a cleaning compound consisting essentially of peroxide andan alkaline reactant, the alkaline reactant being selected to raise thepH of the cleaning compound into the alkaline range; and applying thecleaning compound to the surface.

[0013] An advantage of the present invention is that surfaces in a foodprocessing environment may be effectively cleaned without substantialcorrosive effects.

[0014] Another advantage is that the chemical compound may be applied asa liquid or dry compound.

[0015] Yet another advantage is that the chemical compound may beprovided as a premix or as separate reactants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An antimicrobial cleaning compound of the present invention isused for cleaning surfaces in a food processing environment. Thecleaning compound of the present invention provides a potent biocidewith minimal corrosive properties. The cleaning compound may be in theform of a cleaning compound kit with separate reactants provided inseparate containers, or may be in the form of a single premix with allactive ingredients. Regardless whether the cleaning compound is providedas a kit or a premix, the antimicrobial composition effectively reducesthe microbial population of surfaces in food processing facilities, suchas walls, floors and equipment. The cleaning compound generally includesa peroxide (peroxygen compound) and an alkaline reactant.

Cleaning Compound Kit Example

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning compoundkit includes a first container with hydrogen peroxide therein, and asecond container with an alkaline reactant therein. The alkalinereactant is selected to raise the pH of the cleaning compound into thealkaline range when a predetermined amount of the first container andthe second container are mixed together. When the hydrogen peroxide andthe alkaline reactant are mixed together, the cleaning compound has a pHon the alkaline side (i.e., between approximately 7 to 14 pH).

[0018] The hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is at a concentration of betweenapproximately 0.1 to 70%, preferably approximately 12%. The hydrogenperoxide also has a pH of between approximately 4.5 to 7, preferably 5.2pH. As is apparent, the hydrogen peroxide has a pH on the acid side andtherefore is corrosive to surfaces on which it is applied.

[0019] The alkaline reactant preferably is in the form or mixture ofcarbonates, phosphates, silicates, borates, hydroxides, etc. Thealkaline reactant includes one or more alkaline builders to raise the pHof the cleaning compound into the alkaline range. Specific examples ofalkaline builders, which may be included in the alkaline reactantinclude sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide. The alkaline reactantpreferably has foaming characteristics to assist in removing soil orstains from the surfaces being cleaned. For example, the alkalinereactant may be in the form of a low-foaming, moderate-foaming orhigh-foaming alkaline cleaner.

[0020] The alkaline reactant is contained within the second container ata concentration of between approximately 0.1 to 50%, preferably at aconcentration of between approximately 5 to 15%. The alkaline reactantalso has a pH of approximately 7 to 14, preferably a pH of betweenapproximately 10 to 13.

[0021] The first container and/or the second container can also containother types of chemical additives, such as chelants, coupling agents,oxygen-stable dyes, and/or oxygen-stable surfactants. A chelant orchelants may be added to control or sequester hardness ions such ascalcium and magnesium. In this manner, both detergency and sanitationcapability can be enhanced. Coupling agents permit the non-separation ofan aqueous alkaline reactant in aqueous liquids.

[0022] An example of an oxygen-stable surfactant, which may be added isamine oxide. Amine oxide is a high-foaming surfactant. Various amineoxides may be utilized for their foaming and surfactant properties.Examples of amine oxides include, but are not limited to: lauryldimethylamine oxide (commonly available as Ammonyx LO from StepanCompany, or MACAT AO-12 from Mason Chemical), alkyldimethylamine oxide,dialkylmethylamine oxide, alkyldialkoxylamine oxide, dialkylalkoxyamineoxide, dialkyletheramine oxide and dialkoxyetheramine oxide.

[0023] To further improve the foaming of the cleaning compound, diphenylsulfonate derivatives (such as sodium n-decyl diphenyloxide disulfonate)may be added to the cleaning compound as a foam booster to the amineoxides. Examples of commercially available diphenyl sulfonatederivatives are sold under the trade name “Dowfax 3B2” or “Dowfax 2A1”.These foam boosters increase the retention time of the cleaning compoundon the surfaces to be cleaned, and thereby further improve cleaning.Some other surfactants that are oxygen stable, are Shell ChemicalCompany's nonionic Neodol 25-7, 25-9, 23-6.5, 91-6 and 91-8, andStepan's BIO-TERGE PAS-85.

Method of Application of Cleaning Compound Kit

[0024] In one example, the first container is in the form of a 55-gallondrum with hydrogen peroxide having approximately a 12% concentration anda pH of approximately 5.2. The second container is in the form of a55-gallon drum with a high-foaming, alkaline cleaner having a 14%concentration and a pH of approximately 10.2. Depending on the type ofsurface to be cleaned and soil present, a use dilution of two to eightounces of the hydrogen peroxide and two to eight ounces of the alkalinereactant is mixed with each gallon of water. When the cleaning compoundkit includes hydrogen peroxide, an alkaline reactant and amine oxide,the cleaning compound is mixed at rate of one part amine oxide tobetween five (5) to 99 parts hydrogen peroxide on an active weightbasis, preferably at a rate of one part amine oxide to approximately9.68 parts hydrogen peroxide by weight. The mixture is then applied tothe surface to be cleaned in the food processing environment. Forexample, the mixture may be foamed onto the surface to be cleaned.

Dry Premix Example

[0025] In another embodiment of the invention, a peroxide (rather thanhydrogen peroxide) and the alkaline reactant are mixed together in asingle container and applied as a dry premix to a surface to be cleaned.In one example, the dry cleaning compound is in the form of sodiumpercarbonate, also known as sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate. This drycleaning compound has the chemical formula Na₂CO₃*1.5 H₂O₂, plus sodiumcarbonate as a builder. The dry premix may include constituentsproviding low-foaming and high-foaming capabilities.

Method of Application of Dry Premix

[0026] In a dry premix form, the cleaning compound is applied to cleanfloors and drains using a spreader. The dry premix may also be dilutedwith water at a rate of four to eight ounces per gallon of water andapplied to the surfaces to be cleaned.

[0027] While this invention has been described as having a preferreddesign, the present invention can be further modified within the spiritand scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaning compound kit for cleaning surfaces ina food processing environment, said cleaning compound kit comprising: afirst container with hydrogen peroxide therein; and a second containerwith an alkaline reactant therein, said alkaline reactant being selectedto raise the pH of the cleaning compound into the alkaline range when apredetermined amount of said first container and said second containerare mixed together.
 2. The cleaning compound kit of claim 1, wherein thecleaning compound has a pH of between approximately 7 to 14 when saidpredetermined amount of said first container and said second containerare mixed together.
 3. The cleaning compound kit of claim 1, whereinsaid hydrogen peroxide is at a concentration of between approximately0.1 to 70%.
 4. The cleaning compound kit of claim 3, wherein saidhydrogen peroxide is at a concentration of approximately 12%.
 5. Thecleaning compound kit of claim 1, wherein said hydrogen peroxide has apH of between approximately 4.5 to
 7. 6. The cleaning compound kit ofclaim 5, wherein said hydrogen peroxide has a pH of approximately 5.2.7. The cleaning compound kit of claim 1, wherein said alkaline reactantis one of a low-foaming, moderate-foaming and a high-foaming alkalinecleaner.
 8. The cleaning compound kit of claim 1, wherein said alkalinereactant is selected from the group consisting of carbonates,phosphates, silicates, borates, hydroxides.
 9. The cleaning compound kitof claim 1, wherein one of said first container and said secondcontainer includes at least one of a chelant, coupling agent,oxygen-stable dye, and oxygen-stable surfactant.
 10. The cleaningcompound kit of claim 1, wherein said alkaline reactant is at aconcentration of between approximately 0.1 to 50%.
 11. The cleaningcompound kit of claim 10, wherein said alkaline reactant is at aconcentration of between approximately 5 to 15%.
 12. The cleaningcompound kit of claim 1, wherein said alkaline reactant has a pH ofbetween approximately 7 to
 14. 13. The cleaning compound kit of claim12, wherein said alkaline reactant has a pH of between approximately 10to
 13. 14. The cleaning compound kit of claim 1, wherein said chemicalcompound is mixed at a rate of one part amine oxide to between 5 and 99parts hydrogen peroxide on an active weight basis.
 15. The cleaningcompound kit of claim 14, wherein said chemical compound is mixed at arate of one part amine oxide to approximately 9.68 parts hydrogenperoxide on an active weight basis.
 16. A cleaning compound for cleaningsurfaces in a food processing environment, said cleaning compoundcomprising: at least one container, each said container including atleast one of a peroxide and an alkaline reactant therein, said alkalinereactant being selected to raise the pH of the cleaning compound intothe alkaline range when said peroxide and said alkaline reactant aremixed together.
 17. The cleaning compound of claim 16, wherein thecleaning compound has a pH of between approximately 7 to 14 when saidpredetermined amount of said first container and said second containerare mixed together.
 18. The cleaning compound of claim 16, wherein saidperoxide is at a concentration of between approximately 0.1 to 70%. 19.The cleaning compound of claim 18, wherein said peroxide is at aconcentration of approximately 12%.
 20. The cleaning compound of claim16, wherein said peroxide has a pH of between approximately 4.5 to 7.21. The cleaning compound of claim 20, wherein said peroxide has a pH ofapproximately 5.2.
 22. The cleaning compound of claim 16, wherein saidalkaline reactant is one of a low-foaming, moderate-foaming and ahigh-foaming alkaline cleaner.
 23. The cleaning compound of claim 16,wherein said alkaline reactant is selected from the group consisting ofcarbonates, phosphates, silicates, borates, hydroxides.
 24. The cleaningcompound of claim 16, wherein one of said first container and saidsecond container includes at least one of a chelant, coupling agent,oxygen-stable dye, and oxygen-stable surfactant.
 25. The cleaningcompound of claim 16, wherein said alkaline reactant is at aconcentration of between approximately 0.1 to 50%.
 26. The cleaningcompound of claim 25, wherein said alkaline reactant is at aconcentration of between approximately 5 to 15%.
 27. The cleaningcompound of claim 16, wherein said alkaline reactant has a pH of betweenapproximately 7 to
 14. 28. The cleaning compound of claim 27, whereinsaid alkaline reactant has a pH of between approximately 10 to
 13. 29.The cleaning compound of claim 16, wherein said chemical compoundconsists essentially of sodium percarbonate.
 30. The cleaning compoundof claim 29, wherein said chemical compound includes a chemical formulaNa₂CO₃*1.5 H₂O₂.
 31. The cleaning compound of claim 29, wherein saidchemical compound is a granular compound.
 32. The cleaning compound ofclaim 29, wherein said chemical compound is a non-foaming, dry compound.33. A method of cleaning a surface in a food processing environment,comprising the steps of: providing a cleaning compound consistingessentially of peroxide and an alkaline reactant, said alkaline reactantbeing selected to raise the pH of the cleaning compound into thealkaline range; and applying said cleaning compound to the surface. 34.The method of cleaning a surface in a food processing environment ofclaim 33, wherein said alkaline reactant is a high-foaming, alkalinecleaner, and wherein said applying step includes the substep of foamingsaid cleaning compound onto the surface.
 35. The method of cleaning asurface in a food processing environment of claim 33, including thesteps of: supplying a first container including said peroxide; supplyinga second container including said alkaline reactant; and mixing togetherat least a portion of the first container and the second container. 36.The method of cleaning a surface in a food processing environment ofclaim 33, wherein said cleaning compound is a non-foaming, dry alkalinecompound, and wherein said applying step includes the substep ofspreading said cleaning compound onto the surface.